Question for the AHRMA guys

[Offroadr]

A buddy of mine and I are thinking about getting into vintage MX for something to do. Enduros are getting to hard to chase so we were looking for something else.

If you wanted to get into vintage what would you recommend? I'd prefer 250s.

We are not looking to spend alot of $$, this is just for fun, so a full on Elsinore is not in the plan. I'd prefer to stay vintage as well (Sportsman 250??)

Thanks

 

[FenryHonda]

Sportsman 250 is a great class, although there tends to be a group of riders who do not want to move beyond the novice class when they should definitely be intermediates. That said....

You can pick up a good Yamaha MX 250 for $300-400. If you can get a good deal on one that has a bad ignition, PVL makes one for this bike. A Circle F pipe, Boyesen reeds, 36mm carb, and a bit of porting makes this HEAVY bike really haul. Parts are fairly well available.

 

[VintageDirt]

I'd go for a CZ 400, but that's just me. Also, if you want to ride the "age groups" you'll probably want an open bike.

 

[Offroadr]

I didnt think that the MXs would be a good choice, interesting.

 

[VintageDirt]

I know where you can get a nice post vintage Maico 490 with a blown tranny.

 

[Offroadr]

I know where you can get a nice post vintage Maico 490 with a blown tranny.

to push around the track? :blah:

 

[VintageDirt]

to push around the track? :blah:

That's what I do. It helps if you make moto sounds while you push.

 

[Enduro_Nut]

Sounds familiar, this year I hit 2 2 day events and last weekend ran a Saturday only event. Next year I'm going to run a few less modern events and a few more vintage.

I have a '74 125 Husky and am looking for a cr400 Husky to run vintage, a '75 360mag Husky(evo 1 class) and a few '81/82 Husky 420 & 430 wr's and auto's. Next year I am thinking of a '78/9yz 250 or Maico 250. My concern with the Maico is the tranny's - even in the day it was an issue hence the yz and it's better suspension - hard decision, the Maico turns better... :blah:

 

[Offroadr]

man Enduro nut! Thats a garage full!

 

[FenryHonda]

I didnt think that the MXs would be a good choice, interesting.

The MX's are a good choice considering they are very plentiful. You can get a Husky, CZ, Maico, etc., and they do handle better and are much lighter, but also cost much more.

My '74 MX 250 is very fast, but the rider isn't.

 

[2stroke]

Ive raced sportsman class in AHRMA for the last 3 years, and at least in my region (mid atlantic) they arrange the sportsman class as follows:
they run a sportsman 125 set....
then the 250s and above are grouped as "Sportsman Open"

Come to think of it, its the same here for the GP classes, as some of my friends on YZ250s are racing YZ400s!

Its not just that they run the motos together...(I mean that its common for related classes to be out on the track at the same time) but the 250 sportsman machines are actually in the same class, and if your out there on an MX250, you will be fighting the CZ400 guys for a trophy!

I know that AHRMA lists sportsman 250 and sportsman 500 as separate classes, so in other regions maybe they run it that way, but I would check it out ( and then shoot for an MX360 maybe?)

Personally, I race a Kawasaki F9 350 in sportsman open, but i am building a 1975 DT400 with a full MX400 engine for next season. (I got a thing for stripping down enduros)
My Yammy will have to be "historic open" which is one notch later than sportsman which sucks because it will still have only 4 inches of rear travel but they lump it in with the YZ400 and MX400s which had mono shocks that year!

You will love AHRMA. Its such a great vibe. Theres competition a plenty, but its been my experience that the riders have a great respect for each other. Just walking the pits is a blast! Its like a vintage bike show...some of those guys are riding museum pieces!

 

[FenryHonda]

In the AHRMA Southeast region the 250s and open bike are different classes.

The fact that the Mid-Atlantic region lumps them together is a bit disappointing to me, because I was planning to come to that area and race some this coming season, due to the Southeast schedule not coinciding with my vacation schedule very much.

The MX 360 is a fun bike, but the engine parts are as hard to find as hen's teeth. Wiseco doesn't even make them anymore. I have a '77 YZ 400 also, and had thought about checking into using a 400 piston in my MX 360, but I guess that would be considered cheating. This all means that my 360 gets ridden very seldom.

My whole idea behind using the MX series for Sportsman classes is to get into vintage racing on a budget. If you decide that it is fun, and the budget allows, you can definately get lighter, faster and more exotic (to me) bikes to race.

I have owned my MX 250 since I was 16 years old. It was used just for trail riding since I raced CR's back in the day. Now to get an Elsinore is just about as costly as a vintage Husky or Maico, and a "74 YZ just breaks the bank.

 

[kerrymccaughey]

? for Ahrma guys

Don't race a enduro,As older racer you'll need all the suspension and handling you can get.Further if you get a bike spend your dollars on suspension, you'll need it worse than a highly tuned motor.these motors still make more H.P. than the average guy can use . My 73' 400 Husky can run with any modern bike on the straightaways. I'm going as fast as a 450 -4stk with 4&7 inches of travel !!... thats why I say get a bike thats reliable, easy to find parts, get tech assistance, and has a good handling . Parts and service? Husky; Vintage Hus.Cal. pVp cycles Ky,Stahall's Hus Ind. CZ; C-R racing Cal. Bob's N.W. CZ-Maico Utah,AMS Arizona, Bertus CZ CAL. Vintage Suzuki, red racer-Honda .Just to name a few. Vintage racing is more fun than the dog eat dog modern stuff..the guys are 30-60 years old and respect each other and thier need to be at work Monday morning. They will help you at races even if your racing against them.That's cool!

 

[2stroke]

Oh I agree with the suspension bit for sure. Im not recommending racing an enduro, but for me its a nostalgia thing. Thats what I rode when I was a kid, and so it just seems fitting. And it is economical. Its also fun to see what you can squeeze out of them.

 

[Offroadr]

I had no idea that the MX360 was so hard to get parts for. I got a buddy that has a garage full and races them in Flattrack. They are very fast!

My search is on!! Thanks guys

 

[Enduro_Nut]

A man of wisdom "spend your money on suspension" - I agree, my Husky's are on OHLIN's - there are other good companies out there but in the end it's $$ well spent regardless of the brand.

Offroadr - Come to Combs, Arkansas April 22/3 in '06, this a great time - this year it was run on several of the enduro(easier) trails. I think we ran 65~ miles in 2 days this year.
It was the ISDT vintage qaulifier('06 is in Missiouri?).

I've got a few xtra scooters that might need a home ;) and a buddy runs the vintage Cross Country circuit so shipping is never an issue.

I found 2 really nice Maico's BUT they are alot of $$.